Favorite Teams

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) dives into the end zone for a touchdown past New York Giants defensive back Deon Grant (34) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

You're drafting late in the first round of your fantasy football draft. All of the top running backs are off the board, as well as some of the top wide receivers and even a few quarterbacks. You're starting to think about the competitive advantage you might gain by having the clear-cut best fantasy football tight end, Jimmy Graham, on your team.

But you shouldn't do it. Drafting Graham in the first round is not worth what you give up at other positions, especially when these five tight ends can be had much cheaper than the New Orleans Saints' star. All average draft position data calculated by Fantasy Football Calculator.

1. Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns
Average draft position: Round 5

One would think a season with 80 catches, 917 yards and seven touchdowns would be enough to get Jordan Cameron some respect, but the Browns' tight end is still coming off the board in the fifth round of most fantasy football drafts. He may not have the best quarterback situation in the league, but he did plenty of damage with worse quarterback play a year ago.

2. Zach Ertz. Philadelphia Eagles
Average draft position: Round 9

Zach Ertz is still stuck behind Brent Celek on the Eagles' depth chart, but don't let that fool you. Ertz has a role in the high-scoring Philadelphia attack. Last season he scored four touchdowns on just 36 catches. If his targets increase, Ertz should see a boost in touchdowns as well.

Antonio Gates has to slow down at some point. The 34-year old tight end has missed only one game in the last two seasons, but Ladarius Green has started to cut into his workload a bit. Even in a limited role, the 6-foot-6-inch, 240-pound Green caught three touchdowns. He's a matchup nightmare for defenses and will find his way onto the field at some point in 2014. He's worth a flier in the 11th round.

4. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Average draft position: Round 13

Travis Kelce has been dominant in the preseason. He has six catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Fasano is the only player standing between Kelce and a full-time role in the Chiefs' offense. He missed all of last season with an injury, but Kelce hasn't missed a beat. If you carry a backup tight end in your fantasy league, Kelce is the perfect candidate.

5. Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts
Average draft position: Undrafted

Coby Fleener may have been the first tight end the Colts selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, but Dwayne Allen is the best tight end they picked that year. Allen suffered a season-ending injury in the Colts' regular season opener in 2013, so he comes cheap in fantasy football this year. He's one of Andrew Luck's favorite red zone targets, though, and if Luck is going to take as big of a step as some think, Allen could be a beneficiary.